Monitoring shots of firearms

ABSTRACT

A method and system for monitoring shots fired by at least one shooter, the system comprising: at least one monitoring device associated with a respective at least one shooter, the at least one monitoring device configured to detect exit blasts of all shots fired by the respective shooter from a respective ballistic weapon, at least one impact recorder on at least one respective target, configured to detect impacts of shots on the target, a receiver configured to wirelessly receive detected exit blasts data and impacts data from the at least one monitoring device and the at least one impact recorder, respectively, the receiver including a timer configured to time the exit blasts and impacts of the shots and to produce data records thereof, and a processor configured to receive information from the receiver and to produce data about the shots and the at least one shooter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/687,960, filed on Apr. 16, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/498,326,filed on Mar. 26, 2012, which is a National Phase Application of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/US2011/022327, International FilingDate Jan. 25, 2011, entitled: “MONITORING SHOTS OF FIREARMS”, publishedon Aug. 4, 2011 as International Publication No. WO 2011/094177,claiming the benefit of Israeli Patent Application No. 203526, filed onJan. 26, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of firearms accessories andmore particularly, to firearms accessories for firing management,monitoring, analysis and feedback while training in live fire.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Firearms are utilized for a variety of purposes, such as hunting, sportscompetition, and law enforcement. To teach accuracy and correcttechnique in shooting a firearm, target practice areas may be utilizedwherein, for example, multiple shooters shoot live ammunition atmultiple targets under the supervision of an instructor. To keep trackof the accuracy or shooting technique of one or more shooters, it isoften necessary for an instructor or a shooter to be able to reviewobserve specific shooting skills in real time.

Known methods for identification of shooting may recognize shooting bymeasuring the pressure applied on the weapon's handle. Such method maybe suitable for certain kinds of weapons, such as a pistol, in which theintensity of the pressure on the handle predicts the firing quality.However, in many kinds of weapons, such as rifles, the intensity ofpressure on the handle cannot predict the firing quality. Additionally,in such methods, the quality of the shooting may be assessed by themanner of holding and pressure applied on the weapon. However, thismethod of assessment provides poor prediction of the quality and/orsuccess of the shooting, for example, of the ability to hit the target.Additionally, such method is not very reliable for detection andidentification of the deferent types of shooter's movements before,during and after the firing.

Additionally, known shooting management systems enable assessment of asingle shooter in comparison to predetermined parameters of pressureintensity, on the handle and on the trigger. These methods are notsuitable for simultaneous management of the entire shooting arena.Additionally, these methods may require several devices to be installedon the weapons, which may limit and alter significantly the naturalmovements of a shooter. In systems intended for simulation of realfiring conditions, these parameters may be critical.

For example, known methods use a communication and/or power cable toconnect the weapon to a computer, thus limiting the natural movement ofthe shooter. In order to sense the pressure on the trigger and thehandle, these methods must provide power to the handle and triggercontinuously. Additionally, in known methods a laser pointer or anothersuitable marking means may be installed on the weapon in order to mark ahit on the target for detection by a camera. All these devices on theweapon may make these known methods very inconvenient and limiting anddecrease the usability of these known methods for realistic simulations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a systemfor monitoring shots fired by at least one shooter, the system mayinclude at least one monitoring device associated with a respective atleast one shooter, the at least one monitoring device is configured todetect exit blasts of shots fired by the respective shooter from arespective ballistic weapon. Additionally, the system may include atleast one impact recorder on at least one respective target, the atleast one impact recorder configured to detect impacts of shots on thetarget. Additionally, the system may include a receiver configured toreceive, for example wirelessly, detected exit blasts data and impactsdata from the at least one monitoring device and the at least one impactrecorder, respectively, the receiver including a timer configured totime the exit blasts and impacts of the shots and to produce datarecords thereof, and a processor configured to receive information fromthe receiver and to produce data about the shots and the at least oneshooter.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the system may includemore than one monitoring devices associated with respective shooters,wherein the processor is configured to receive information from thereceiver and to further produce comparative data between the shooters.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device isincluded in any one of a list comprising: a mobile device, a dedicatedhousing, a cellular phone device, a tablet, a laptop computer, and/orany other suitable device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device ispositioned in proximity to the shooter's body or attached on theshooter's body/hand.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the system may furtherinclude attachment straps to facilitate attachment of the monitoringdevice to a wrist of a user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device mayfurther include an identification module to store an exclusiveidentification and to enable exclusive identification of a specificshooter by ascribing the exclusive identification to the shooter, awireless communications module, and a motion sensor to sense data aboutthe amplitude and direction of movements of a user's hand and to providethe data to the processor, the processor external to the device, via thewireless communications module, wherein the processor is configured toreceive data from the device and to process the data to identify typicalmovement patterns before, during and after a firing.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device mayfurther include a processing module to at least partially process databefore providing the processed data to the processor.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device mayfurther include at least one physiological sensor to sense data aboutphysiological measures that imply on physiological or emotionalconditions of the user and to provide the data to the processor via thewireless communications module.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device mayfurther include an audio sensor to detect audio data comprising soundsmade by the user, by the weapon and/or from the user's environment andto provide the data to the external processor via the wirelesscommunications module.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the monitoring device mayfurther include a memory module that stores at least one of a listcomprising: shooting history, performance, rank, and/or any othersuitable data about the specific user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the identification modulemay further include RFID reader for synchronization with a correspondingRFID tag on a corresponding weapon or target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detaileddescription of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a shooting range management system, according to someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration the components of some of theshooting range management system shown in FIG. 1, according to someembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows details of a graph related to the shooting range managementsystem shown in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a device for monitoring shotsfired by a user according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic graph illustration of technical datadisplayed on a display of computer, provided by a shooting rangemanagement system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a large group embodiment of theshooting range management system shown in FIG. 1, according to someembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 7A shows yet another aspect of a shooting range management system,according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7B shows details of a graph related to the shooting rangemanagement system shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows details of yet another graph related to the shooting rangemanagement system shown in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for monitoringshots fired by at least one shooter, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Prior to setting forth the detailed description, it may be helpful toset forth definitions of certain terms that will be used hereinafter.

As used herein, the term “shooting range” encompasses firing ranges,target ranges, shooting training, smart shooting range or other weaponstraining or testing environments or configurations.

As used herein, the phrases “multiple user shooting ranges”, “multipleuser shooting areas”, or similar phrases refer to areas in which thereare multiple shooters users shooting in areas in which there is firingrange management.

As used herein, the phrase “firing range management” refers to, interalia, group shooting; multi-user shooting; time-challenged shooting;smart shooting ranges; timed shooting management, and other grouporiented shooting or training implementations.

As used herein, the terms “ballistic weapon” or “weapon” refer to anyarmament that shoots projectiles after power has been cut off andincludes, inter alia, any ballistic weapon that is held by one or twohands, or shoulder or torso mounted, or held away from the body.

As used herein, wireless data input technologies to communicate signalsor data, comprise communication technologies using LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth,Zigbee, Ethernet, USB, cables, and any other wireless technologypresently existing or developed in the future.

Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a shooting rangemanagement system. The shooting range system, according to someembodiments of the present invention, may analyze amplitude anddirection of the shooter's movement, for example an arm or wristmovement, and identify by the analysis different movement types whichmay imply on the quality of performance of the shooter. By the analysis,recoil movement caused by the firing and other characteristics of theshooter's performance may be identified.

In contrast to known methods, the system according to the presentinvention may enable realistic simulation of a combat. According toembodiments of the present invention, preferably no equipment isinstalled on the weapon itself. Additionally, no cables are attached tothe shooter and/or to the weapon, enabling free movement of the shooter.

In contrast to known methods, the system according to some embodimentsof the present invention may enable management and analysis of arealistic group training, by monitoring multiple aspects of the grouptraining such as, for example, overall number of shots, overall targetimpact success percentage (of the number of shots), number of impacts onthe target, the time of each shot and/or of each hit on the target,final time of the entire shooting session and/or shots per second oranother period of time, and comparisons between the group members innumber of shots and/or success percentage and/or in any other suitablecomparison parameter. The system according to some embodiments of thepresent invention is designated to provide group data by receiving,assembling and/or analyzing data from multiple shot monitoring devices,each associated exclusively with an identified user, and from multipleimpact recorders, wherein each impact recorder is associated exclusivelywith an identified user. Additionally, the system according to someembodiments of the present invention may enable real time management,analysis and monitoring of several distinct groups and make real timecomparisons between the groups, in all the above mentioned parameters.In contrast to known methods, in some embodiments of the presentinvention, impact may be detected by impact recorders on the target,sensing directly the actual impacts on the targets without any laserequipment on the weapons.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a shooting rangemanagement system 100. Shooting range management system 100 may includean impact recorder 110, at least one shot monitoring device 122, areceiver 112 and a computer/processor 116. At least one shooter 102 mayaim a weapon 142 at a target 172.

Shot monitoring device 122 may include one or more sensors, such as anaccelerometer, a gyroscope, physiological sensors and/or any othersuitable sensors such as, for example, vibration sensor, shock sensor,motion sensor, stills and/or video camera(s), sound sensors, pressuresensors and trigger movement sensors, or any other suitable sensor foridentifying movement and/or blasts associated with weapon 142. Shotmonitoring device 122 is depicted in more detail in FIG. 4, showing auser shot monitoring device 600 which may be an exemplary embodiment ofshot monitoring device 122 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

Shot monitoring device 122 may be included in any suitable device and/orhousing, such as a mobile device, a cellular phone device, a tablet, alaptop computer, and/or any other suitable device. In some embodimentsof the present invention, shot monitoring device 122 may be included ina dedicated housing. Shot monitoring device 122 may be positioned, forexample, in proximity to the shooter's body/hand, or attached on theshooter's body/hand, or positioned in any suitable position that mayenable operation of shot monitoring device 122 according to embodimentsof the present invention as described herein.

Shot monitoring device 122 may transmit data with respect to movementand exit blasts associated with weapon 142 to a computer/processor 116via a receiver 112.

Shot monitoring device 122 may record the exit blast as bullet 132 leaveweapon 142. In some embodiments, monitoring device 122 may record thewrist or arm movement and/or cocking of the trigger, rotating thebarrel, or pulling the slide bar of weapon 142.

In some embodiments of the present invention, shot monitoring device 122can be installed on the weapon 142 and/or 144, for example by arail-mount or any other suitable attaching method. In some embodimentsof the present invention, shot monitoring device 122 may be worn on thewrist or arm of shooter 102.

Computer/processor 116 may be included in any suitable device such as,for example, a computer, a laptop computer, a mobile phone and/or anyother suitable device having computing and/or processing abilities.Preferably, computer/processor 116 and/or the device includingcomputer/processor 116 may include and/or be connected to a display 118.

Impact recorder 110 may record the impact of bullet 132 that hits target172, and transmits the recorded data to receiver 112. Impact recorder110 may include any type of sensor, including inter alia, vibrationsensors, shock sensors, motion sensors, sound sensors, an imaging deviceand pressure sensors; or any other suitable sensor for identifyingand/or measuring a shot hitting a target. Data is transmitted wirelesslyas shown.

In some embodiments of the present invention, impact recorder 110 may beor include a camera directed to target 172. Impact recorder 110 mayinclude any kind of camera, including still camera and/or video cameraand/or a three-dimensional camera and/or sensor. Computer/processor 116may receive image data from impact recorder 110, identify in the imageshits on target 172, time the hits and ascribe a hit to a recorded shotand a specific user who made the shot. Computer/processor 116 mayreceive image data from multiple impact recorders 110, for example eachdirected to a specific target or, in other embodiments, a camera may bedirected to and/or monitor specific several targets, and, for example,be recorded as ascribed to the specific target or the specific severaltargets. Computer/processor 116 may distinguish between the camerasand/or the target(s) included in the image data and thus, for example,distinguish between the hits, and/or ascribe hits to shots, for example,according to the times of shots and hits. The shots may be performed bythe same user or by several users. Computer/processor 116 may identifyshots and ascribe the shots to respective shooters, time the identifiedshots and match identified hits to identified shots monitored by thecamera(s). Thus, for example, computer/processor 116 may provide anaccurate report on the shots, hits and times and, for example, toprovide an accurate analysis of the shooter(s) performance, relevant tothe results and the shooter's movements.

In some embodiments, impact recorders 110 may include athree-dimensional camera and/or sensor which may sense the impactsand/or the target's movements, such as to provide analysis of theshooting by three-dimensional movement sensing.

Receiver 112 may integrate the data from shot monitoring device 122 andimpact recorder 110, and produces time-based information on the shot ofbullet 132 that may be displayed on a display 118 connected tocomputer/processor 116.

The data from shot monitoring device 122, impact recorder 110 and/orreceiver 112 may be skewed by an external noise such as, for example,another shot by another shooter. As explained below, shooting rangemanagement system 100 may optionally include a filter system to filterout unwanted noise.

As shown herein, shooting range management system 100 may optionallyinclude earphones 136 (it can also be an outside beep and not inearphones), for example, so that each shooter 102 may hear instructions,such as “begin shooting” and “cease fire” from an instructor (notshown).

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of components of shooting rangemanagement system 100, in which shot monitoring device 122 may include ashot sensor 180 which may transfer the sensed data to ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter 182. A/D converter 182 may convert thesignals from sensor 180 into digitally transmittable signals. Shotmonitoring device 122 may additionally include a transceiver 184 whichmay transfer the digital data to receiver 112. As described herein, shotsensor 180 may include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, physiologicalsensors and/or any other suitable sensors such as, for example,vibration sensor, shock sensor, motion sensor, stills and/or videocamera(s), sound sensors, pressure sensors and trigger movement sensors,or any other suitable sensor for identifying movement and/or blastsassociated with weapon 142.

In some embodiments, shot monitoring device 122 may optionally includean identification module 193 that identifies shot monitoring device 122exclusively. Identification module 193 may record, for example, theshooting history, being a temporal sequence of shots and hits of aparticular weapon, and optionally provides a warning, for example whenthe weapon requires maintenance cleaning, or part replacement.

When used by a specific shooter, identification module 193 optionallyreceives data from receiver 112 and may be taken home by the shooterregistered with identification module 193, for example, to downloadinformation on a home computer and compare a current session withprevious sessions. Deactivation and Activation of shot monitoring device122 to function with the correct weapon is optionally provided by anRFID tag on the weapon and an RFID reader in identification module 193.The data may be transferred directly to a communication device.

Transceiver 184 may also serve as a receiver of information via receiver112 which is optionally initiated for example by computer/processor 116.Such received information may be a command that is typed intocomputer/processor 116 to shut down shooting range management system100.

Receiver 112 may include data transceiver 185 which receives data fromboth shot monitoring device 122 and impact recorder 110. In someembodiments, receiver 112 and/or some components of receiver 112 may beembedded within shot monitoring device 600 (shown in FIG. 4), forexample, together with shot monitoring device 122.

In some embodiments, impact recorder 110 may include an impact sensor181, which may include, for example, a vibration sensor, a shock sensor,a motion sensor, a sound sensor, an imaging device, a pressure sensor,stills and/or video camera or any other suitable sensor for identifyingand/or measuring a shot hitting a target. Impact recorder 110 may alsoinclude A/D converter 194, which may convert the signals from sensor 181into digitally transmittable signals. Impact recorder 110 may alsoinclude a transceiver 198, which may transfer the digital data toreceiver 112.

In some embodiments, receiver 112 may include a filter 186 that filtersout unwanted noise from shots such as a shot from shooter that may, forexample, be interpreted as hand movement by shooter 102.

After passing through filter 186, the data may be passed to a timermodule 188 which may assign time variables to each dataset passed onfrom shot monitoring device 122 and impact recorder 110.

Receiver 112 may include a timer module 188, for example including adigital clock. The digital clock included in timer module 188 optionallyprovides timing increments at thousandth or ten thousandth of a secondin order to provide precise records of shooters 102. Such increments ofeach second have application in situations wherein rapid fire, forexample from multiple users armed with semi-automatic or automaticweapons, is being monitored.

The data may then be passed on to an integration circuit 190, which maythen correlate the various blasts with their corresponding capturedimpact and transfers the information to computer/processor 116.

Computer/processor 116 may provide the information in the above-notedvisual display 118 as well as an optional audio transmittal. Receiver112 may optionally include a memory 192 which may allow the informationcollected from shot monitoring device 122 and impact recorder 110 to bestored and possibly downloaded to another computer for future referenceand or comparison to other sessions utilizing a second computer (canalso be watch, PDA, cell phone).

Shot monitoring device 122, impact recorder 110, and/or receiver 112,optionally include power supplies 183 and 196, respectively. As notedabove, in alternative embodiments, power may be supplied through wiringpassing from computer/processor 116 to all components and/or directwiring of the various components to a separate electric connection. Themany ways of providing power to the components shown are well known tothose who are familiar with the art. Power supplies 183 and 196 mayinclude, for example batteries, for example, chargeable batteries.

Receiver 112, shot monitoring device 122 and other components ofshooting range management system 100, for example the safety moduleexplained below, optionally operate using rechargeable batteries orrechargeable power units. Alternatively, power is provided by a localgenerator or wiring to a power supply.

In some embodiments of the invention, receiver 112, shot monitoringdevice 122 and other components of shooting range management system 100,are optionally contained in shock-resistant housings to preventenvironmental vibrations from affecting collected data. Suchenvironmental vibrations might include, for example, vibrationsgenerated by overflying aircraft, or vehicles passing near shootingrange management system 100.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of details of technical datadisplayed on display 118 of computer/processor 116, provided by shootingrange management system 100 according to embodiments of the presentinvention. Shooting range management system 100 may provide a widevariety of technical data that may be displayed on display 118.

Display shows data tables 162 and 164, which illustrate, in the leftcolumn, that shooter 102 shot three shots and a shooter 104 shot fiveshots.

The middle graph section of data tables 162 and 164 shows that shooter102 made a hand movement 150 without firing one time, executed a hit 152of the target two times, and registered a shot failure 154 one time.

Additionally, shooter 104 hit 152 the target four times and failed 154one time.

In addition to determining the ability of shooters 102 and 104 to hitthe target, by analyzing movement 150, an instructor can optionallydetermine the movement of the hands and/or weapons of shooters 102 and104, thereby providing pointers for improving the handling of therespective weapons and enabling an instructor to suggest suitableinstructions for improving and/or correcting the shooter's firingtechnique.

For example, in misses 154 by both shooters 102 and 104, movement 150indicates excessive time in cocking the weapons and/or excessive handmovement in aiming the weapons. Movement 150 in these cases can beindicative, for example, of hand movement which caused the weapon tolose alignment with the target.

Data column on the right shows the timing of each shot. Alternatively,the shooting instructor can optionally switch the data column to show,inter alia, the amount of time spent on each cock and/or aiming and/ordrawing 150 during a given shot, and/or the times between shots and/orthe complete shooting time, which can provide vital information inrecommendations that improve the shooting technique of shooters 102 and104.

While the utilization of shooting range management system 100 and theassociated graphs 118 are illustrated with respect to two shooters 102and 104, the present invention is contemplated for use with only oneshooter 102. It is understood that some embodiments of the presentinvention may support two or more shooters shooting a common target oralternatively—each shooter is assigned with his or her target or targetsrespectively. In use with single shooter 102, as is optionally providedwith multiple shooters, graphs 118 aid shooter 102 in determining avariety of technical data. Technical data provided by graph 118,includes, inter alia: intervals between each shot; hand and weaponmovements prior to, during, and following shooting; and accuracy ofhitting target 172.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a schematic illustration of auser shot monitoring device 600 for monitoring shots by a user,according to embodiments of the present invention. Monitoring device 600may include, for example, a motion sensor which may include, forexample, an accelerometer 612 and/or a gyroscope 614, identificationmodule 616, memory module 622 and communications module 624.Additionally, shot monitoring device 600 may optionally include aprocessing module 623, which may be included in memory module 622.Additionally, monitoring device 600 may optionally include an audiosensor 618. Additionally, monitoring device 600 may optionally includeone or more physiological sensors 620, which may include, for example,heartbeat sensor, blood pressure sensor, perspiration sensor and/or anyother suitable physiological sensor(s). Additionally, in some exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, monitoring device 600 may includeattachment straps 610 which may facilitate attachment of monitoringdevice 600 to a wrist of a user, for example a potential shooter.Additionally, monitoring device 600 may optionally include an on/offbutton 626. In some embodiments, devices 600 may also include a GPSdevice to determine location of the shooter.

Accelerometer 612 and gyroscope 614 may sense the amplitude anddirection of movements of the user's hand. Additionally, physiologicalsensors 620 may sense physiological measures, which may imply, forexample, on physiological and/or emotional conditions of the user.Additionally, audio sensor 618 may detect sounds made by the user, bythe weapon and/or from the user's environment. In order to providesensed data by accelerometer 612, gyroscope 614, and optionallyphysiological sensors 620 and/or audio sensor 618, monitoring device 600may be required to be turned on by on/off button 626.

Once the shot is performed, the shooters hand may move, for example, ina pattern typical for shooting. Accelerometer 612 and gyroscope 614 maysense the amplitude and the direction of the movement, and provide thedata to processing module 623 and/or to computer/processor 116, forexample by communication module 624. Physiological sensors 620 and/oraudio sensor 618 may also provide the sensed physiological measuresand/or the sensed sounds data to processing module 623 and/or tocomputer/processor 116. It will be appreciated that, according to someembodiments of the present invention, at least some of the operationsthat may be performed by computer/processor 116 according to the presentdescription may be performed, at least partially, by processing module623. In such embodiments, data from accelerometer 612, gyroscope 614,physiological sensors 620 and/or audio sensor 618 may be provided tocomputer/processor 116, for example additionally or alternative toprocessing module 623. In some embodiments, at least some of the dataprocessing may be performed by processing module 623 and then, partiallyprocessed data may be provided to computer/processor 116, for example bycommunications module 624, to complete the data processing.

Communications module 624 may transmit the data wirelessly in order torefrain from limiting and/or affecting the shooter's ability to movefreely.

In some embodiments of the present invention, additional sensors may beincluded in monitoring device 600 and/or be in communication withmonitoring device 600, such as pressure sensors, barometer, anemometerand/or movement sensors and/or any other suitable sensors, which mayfacilitate the identification of a shot and/or performance assessment ofa shooter. Data from such additional sensors may also be provided toprocessing module 623 and/or to computer/processor 116.

Processing the data received from accelerometer 612 and gyroscope 614may include, for example, analyzing the sensed movement amplitude data,direction data and/or physiological data and/or any additional senseddata and recognize movement patterns. Processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 may analyze the received data and distinguish,for example, hand movement in or opposite to the firing direction, i.e.towards or away from the target and/or the firing direction (alsoreferred herein as depth movement) from hand movement perpendicular tothe firing direction (also referred herein as horizontal movement).Additionally, processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 mayanalyze the received data and recognize different movement types and/ormovement patterns. For example, processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 may recognize movement patterns with certainparameters such as, for example, amplitude of the movement, direction ofthe movement, frequency of the movement and/or any other suitableparameter, and based on the parameters identify the type of themovement, and/or isolate a certain type of movement from othermovements. The types of movement that may be identified and/or isolatedby processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 based on theanalysis may include, for example, pulling out of the weapon, cocking ofthe weapon, rotating of the barrel, aiming, body tension before firing,recoil movement, pre-shooting movement (“flinch”), the movement patternsjust before and/or just after the firing and/or any other relevanttype(s) of movement. When recoil movement is identified and/or isolated,processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 may deduce that ashot has been fired at the same time that the recoil movement occurred.Optionally, in some exemplary embodiments, audio sensor 618 mayfacilitate the shot recognition.

Processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 may evaluate theperformance level of the shooter, including, for example, the quality ofa shot, based on analysis of the characteristics of the identified typesof movements and/or physiological data, before, during and after anidentified recoil movement (i.e., identified shot). By combination ofthe quality of the shot with the impacts detected by, for example, thecamera, the present invention may provide accurate shooting analysis. Insome embodiments, the data and/or analysis of the characteristics of theidentified types of movements and/or physiological data may be presentedon a screen and/or may be printable of provided in any other suitablemanner to a user. Evaluation of the performance level may also bepresented and/or provided to a user, and/or the user may evaluate theperformance level based on the presented and/or provided analyses and/ordata. Based on the characteristics of the of the identified types ofmovements, processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 mayprovide feedback regarding different aspects of the shooter'sperformance, such as, for example, correct and/or incorrect handmovements before, during and/or after the shot, the stress level of theshooter, the shooter's preparedness, the shooter's agility and/or anyother suitable aspect.

The different types of movement may be identified by processing module623 and/or computer/processor 116 according to calibration, for examplepredetermined calibration, of relevant parameters in processing module623 and/or computer/processor 116, for example by a user and/or machinelearning.

Identification module 616 may store an identification code, number,file, image or any other suitable identification. Identification module616 may enable exclusive identification of a specific shooter byascribing a specific identification, stored in identification module616, to a specific shooter. In some embodiments, identification module616 may be included in memory module 622. Memory module 622 may alsostore shooting history, performance, rank, and/or any other suitabledata about the specific user. However, preferably, shooting history andspecific user related data will be stored in computer/processor 116. Insome embodiments of the present invention, data may be downloaded frommemory module 622 to any suitable device and/or computer.

Identification module 616 may be used by processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 to identify the specific shooter and, forexample, to attribute data received from impact recorder 110 to thecorrect weapon/user exclusively. For example, in some embodiments of thepresent invention, monitoring device 600 and impact recorder 110 and/orthe weapon may be synchronized and/or coordinated by identificationmodule 616, for example for correct relation of a specific user to aspecific target and/or to a specific weapon. In some embodiments,identification module 616 may include RFID reader for synchronizationand/or coordination, for example by corresponding RFID tags oncorresponding weapons and/or targets.

As explained in detail herein, shooting range management system 100according to embodiments of the present invention may include aplurality of monitoring devices 600, each identified with a respectiveshooter, for example by identification module 616. Computer/processor116 is configured, for example as explained in detail herein, to detectexit blasts of all shots fired by the respective identified shootersfrom a plurality of respective ballistic weapons, for example byrecognizing and/or isolating recoil movement based on analysis ofamplitude and/or direction of movement, as explained in detail herein.The recoil movement may imply that a shot has probably occurred. Morespecifically, the time of the recoil movement may be recorded by system100 as the time of occurrence of the exit blast as a bullet leaves theweapon.

As described in detail herein, processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 may receive data from monitoring devices 600and/or for example, from a plurality of impact recorders 110. Each ofimpact recorders 110 may be configured to detect impacts of shots, forexample, on a respective target. As described in detail herein,computer/processor 116 may include or may communicate with a receiver112, which may be configured to wirelessly receive detected exit blastsdata and impacts data from monitoring devices 600 and/or from impactrecorders 110. Receiver 112 may include a timer 188, by whichcomputer/processor 116 may time shots of a plurality of users inparallel, for example shots identified by identifying recoil movementsat the time of exit blasts from the plurality of weapons and to timeimpacts thereof and/or to produce data records thereof. Processingmodule 623 and/or computer/processor 116 may extract information fromthe received data, as described in detail herein.

Further as described herein, the system according to some embodiments ofthe present invention may include a display 118, which may be configuredto display the received and/or analyzed data.

For example, processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 mayrecognize movement patterns with certain parameters such as, forexample, amplitude of the movement, direction of the movement, frequencyof the movement and/or any other suitable parameter, and based on theparameters identify the type of the movement, and/or isolate a certaintype of movement from other movements. For example, based on theanalysis, processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 mayidentify and/or isolate, for example, pulling out of the weapon(drawing), cocking of the trigger, rotating of the barrel, aiming, bodytension before and/or after firing, recoil movement, the movementpatterns just before and/or just after the firing and/or any otherrelevant type(s) of movement.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is an exemplary schematic graphillustration 700 of technical data displayed on display 118 ofcomputer/processor 116, provided by shooting range management system 100according to some embodiments of the present invention. Graphillustration 700 includes a vertical axis 750 representing the amplitudeof the wrist movement and a horizontal axis 760 representing time, forexample starting from the moment the weapon is drawn. According to someembodiments of the present invention, processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 may isolate horizontal movement of the wrist,shown by the thick line 720, and depth movement of the wrist, shown bythin line 710. An exemplary initial drawing movement 716 is shown at thebeginning of time axis 760. In some embodiments, processing module 623and/or computer/processor 116 may isolate three axes of movements suchas, for example, horizontal movement of the wrist, vertical movement ofthe wrist, and depth movement of the wrist (forward and backwardsmovements), and three corresponding lines may be shown in a graphillustration.

Firing may be identified by isolating movement identified by processingmodule 623 and/or computer/processor 116 as recoil movement, usually avery sharp depth movement. Graph 700 shows an exemplary identified shotrecoil movement 712. When recoil movement is identified and/or isolated,processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 may deduce that ashot has been fired at the same time that the recoil movement occurred.As discussed in detail above, processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 may isolate and/or identify different types ofmovement before, during and after the firing.

Graph 700 shows exemplary identified and/or isolated movement types a, band c, which may be identified by processing module 623 and/orcomputer/processor 116 as cocking of the trigger, rotating of thebarrel, aiming, body tension before and/or after firing and/or othertypical movement patterns. The identified movement types may be recordedby processing module 623 and/or computer/processor 116 together withtheir intensity (amplitude) the time of occurrence and/or otheridentified parameters and/or in relation to the specific shooter and orgroup the shooter belongs to. The recorded data may be stored, forexample, in memory 192, in computer/processor 116, in memory 622 and/orin any other suitable data storage device.

As seen in FIG. 6, shooting range management system 100 may be utilizedfor many more than the illustrated multiple shooters 102 and 104; forexample six, eight, ten, thirty, fifty or even more shooters.

In some embodiments of the inventions, shooting range management system100 may include a safety module 129 that enables an instructor 137 toshut down one or more system components.

Additionally or alternatively, safety module 129 provides an audiosignal through a speaker 126 to indicate, for example, that a ceasefireis in effect. The use of physical signal 126 allows shooters 102 who arewearing or not wearing earphones 136, for example, to be alerted toevents.

In alternative embodiments, safety module 129 provides physical signals126, for example, inter alia, a flag, tape or a sign. In furtherembodiments, safety module 129 produces automated audio commands thatinstruct shooters 102 to, for example, start shooting, stop shooting,change position from standing to crouching.

Additionally or alternatively, safety module 129 may include a wirelesscommand system that is transmitted wirelessly to earphones 136 so thatthe instructor can wirelessly instruct shooters 102 to begin, pause orstop operations.

The inventor has discovered that shooting range management system 100using a dedicated processing module (not shown) can optionally enablereal time monitoring, processing, analyzing and/or viewing of amulti-user training session.

Consistent with some embodiment of the invention, processing module mayfurther be arranged to calculate at least one of: (i) a location of ahit on the target; (ii) a timing of each shot on a specified target;(iii) an association of a series of shots and a specific shooter; (iv)an association of a series of shots and a shooting history of a specificshooter; and (v) recommendations improvement of shooting skills based onthe processing and further in view of a series of shots of a specificshooter.

The inventors have additionally discovered that shooting rangemanagement system 100 optionally enables post session training orshooting analysis and output, for example, to facilitate group orindividual training analysis, feedback and monitoring.

The inventors have further discovered that shooting range managementsystem 100 optionally enables, inter alia, real time or non-real timeanalysis and display of target hitting percentages, accuracy in area oftarget hit, shooting speed, and time spent on preparation of weapons inpreparation for firing and/or operating the weapon in firing (such as,for example, replacing a cartridge and/or jam operation).

FIG. 7A shows yet another aspect of a shooting range management system,according to some embodiments of the invention. Shooting managementsystem 510 includes shot monitoring device 122 associated with aspecific shooter 160, which may include, for example, a user shotmonitoring device 600 as described in detail herein. In addition to atarget 170, there is provided an imaging device (such as a camera) 560that faces the target. In operation, imaging device captures images (ora video sequence) of target 170. It is understood the imaging device 560can capture a plurality of target accommodating a plurality of shooters(not shown here). The captured images are used by embodiments of thepresent invention by processing them and presenting the images inconjunction with data associated with the respective shooter, thetimeline and each shooter specific training scheme.

Consistent with one embodiment, FIG. 7B shows an exemplary presentedimage of a target 520 showing the hits of a specified shooter indicatedby 521-524. Advantageously—the shot monitoring device and the managementsystem may help determine which hit is associated with which shot alonga time line as indicated in FIG. 7C showing a timeline 530 with hits ofa specified shooter indicated by 521-524.

Moreover, the target 520 is being recorded by an image device 560. Theimage is being processed to provide an accurate location of a hit on thetarget 520. A tracking and location system may identify a location of ashooter in a shooting arena when the shooter is in movement, the shooteris identified by the tracking and location system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a schematic flowchartillustrating a method for monitoring shots fired by at least oneshooter, according to embodiments of the present invention. As indicatedin block 810, the method may include detecting, by at least onemonitoring device associated with a respective at least one shooter,exit blasts of shots fired by the respective shooter from a respectiveballistic weapon. As indicated in block 820, the method may includedetecting, by at least one impact recorder on respective at least onetarget, impacts of shots on the target. For example, the method mayinclude receiving by a receiver detected exit blasts data and impactsdata from the at least one monitoring device and the at least one impactrecorder, respectively. As indicated in block 830, the method mayinclude timing the exit blasts and impacts of the shots and to producedata records thereof. As indicated in block 840, the method may includereceiving by a processor information from the receiver and producingdata about the shots and the at least one shooter.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include producing comparative data between the shooters.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include storing an exclusive identification and to enable exclusiveidentification of a specific shooter by ascribing the exclusiveidentification to the shooter, and sensing data about the amplitude anddirection of movements of a user's hand and to provide the data to theprocessor, the processor external to the device, via a wirelesscommunications module, wherein the processor is configured to receivedata from the device and to process the data to identify typicalmovement patterns before, during and after a firing.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include at least partially processing data before providing theprocessed data to the processor.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include sensing data about physiological measures that imply onphysiological or emotional conditions of the user and providing the datato the processor via the wireless communications module.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include detecting audio data comprising sounds made by the user, bythe weapon and/or from the user's environment and providing the data tothe external processor via the wireless communications module.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include storing at least one of a list comprising: shooting history,performance, rank, and/or any other suitable data about the specificuser.

Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, the methodmay include synchronizing a RFID reader comprised in the monitoringdevice with a corresponding RFID tag on a corresponding weapon ortarget.

In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementationof the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “some embodiments”, do not necessarily all refer to thesame embodiments.

Although various features of the invention may be described in thecontext of a single embodiment, the features may also be providedseparately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although theinvention may be described herein in the context of separate embodimentsfor clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a singleembodiment.

Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”,“one embodiment”, or “other embodiments”, means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedherein are not to be construed as limiting, and are for descriptivepurposes only.

The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may bebetter understood with reference to the accompanying description,Figures, and examples.

It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construea limitation to an application of the invention.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carriedout or practiced in various ways and that the invention can beimplemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in thedescription above.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”,“consisting”, and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude theaddition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers; orgroups thereof, and that the terms are to be construed as specifyingcomponents, features, steps or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, thatdoes not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to“a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there isonly one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that acomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can”or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure,or characteristic is not required to be included.

Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may beused to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to thosediagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow neednot move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the sameorder as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing orcompleting manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selectedsteps or tasks.

The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and proceduresfor accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, thosemanners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readilydeveloped from known manners, means, techniques, and procedures bypractitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in theclaims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting butrather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to becommonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which theinvention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice withmethods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles,referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if eachindividual publication was specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of anyreference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shallnot be construed as an admission that such reference is available asprior art to the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on thescope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of thepreferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, andapplications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly,the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus farbeen described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

1. A system for monitoring shots fired by at least one shooter, thesystem comprising: at least one monitoring device associated with arespective at least one shooter, the at least one monitoring device isconfigured to detect exit blasts of shots fired by the respectiveshooter from a respective ballistic weapon; at least one impact recorderon at least one respective target, the at least one impact recorderconfigured to detect impacts of shots on the target; a receiverconfigured to receive detected exit blasts data and impacts data fromthe at least one monitoring device and the at least one impact recorder,respectively, the receiver including a timer configured to time saidexit blasts and impacts of the shots and to produce data recordsthereof; and a processor configured to receive information from thereceiver and to produce data about the shots and the at least oneshooter.
 2. The system of claim 1, comprising more than one monitoringdevices associated with respective shooters, wherein the processor isconfigured to receive information from the receiver and to furtherproduce comparative data between the shooters.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein said monitoring device is comprised in any one of a listcomprising: a mobile device, a dedicated housing, a cellular phonedevice, a tablet, a laptop computer, and/or any other suitable device.4. The system of claim 1, wherein said monitoring device is positionedin proximity to the shooter's body or attached on the shooter'sbody/hand.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising attachmentstraps to facilitate attachment of the monitoring device to a wrist of auser.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring devicecomprising: an identification module to store an exclusiveidentification and to enable exclusive identification of a specificshooter by ascribing the exclusive identification to the shooter; awireless communications module; and a motion sensor to sense data aboutthe amplitude and direction of movements of a user's hand and to providethe data to the processor, the processor external to the device, via thewireless communications module, wherein the processor is configured toreceive data from the device and to process the data to identify typicalmovement patterns before, during and after a firing.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein said monitoring device further comprises a processingmodule to at least partially process data before providing the processeddata to the processor.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein said monitoringdevice further comprises at least one physiological sensor to sense dataabout physiological measures that imply on physiological or emotionalconditions of the user and to provide the data to the processor via thewireless communications module.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein saidmonitoring device further comprises an audio sensor to detect audio datacomprising sounds made by the user, by the weapon and/or from the user'senvironment and to provide the data to the external processor via thewireless communications module.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein saidmonitoring device further comprises a memory module that stores at leastone of a list comprising: shooting history, performance, rank, and/orany other suitable data about the specific user.
 11. The system of claim6, wherein the identification module comprises RFID reader forsynchronization with a corresponding RFID tag on a corresponding weaponor target.
 12. A method for monitoring shots fired by at least oneshooter, the method comprising: detecting, by at least one monitoringdevice associated with a respective at least one shooter, exit blasts ofshots fired by the respective shooter from a respective ballisticweapon; detecting, by at least one impact recorder on respective atleast one target, impacts of shots on the target; receiving by areceiver detected exit blasts data and impacts data from the at leastone monitoring device and the at least one impact recorder,respectively; timing said exit blasts and impacts of the shots and toproduce data records thereof; and receiving by a processor informationfrom the receiver and producing data about the shots and the at leastone shooter.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising producingcomparative data between the shooters.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising: storing an exclusive identification and to enableexclusive identification of a specific shooter by ascribing theexclusive identification to the shooter; and sensing data about theamplitude and direction of movements of a user's hand and to provide thedata to the processor, the processor external to the device, via awireless communications module, wherein the processor is configured toreceive data from the device and to process the data to identify typicalmovement patterns before, during and after a firing.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising at least partially processing data beforeproviding the processed data to the processor.
 16. The method of claim14, further comprising sensing data about physiological measures thatimply on physiological or emotional conditions of the user and providingthe data to the processor via the wireless communications module. 17.The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting audio datacomprising sounds made by the user, by the weapon and/or from the user'senvironment and providing the data to the external processor via thewireless communications module.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising storing at least one of a list comprising: shooting history,performance, rank, and/or any other suitable data about the specificuser.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising synchronizing aRFID reader comprised in the monitoring device with a corresponding RFIDtag on a corresponding weapon or target.